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A Precariously Balanced Life

Dear Reader,If you've been with me since the beginning, thank you, and welcome back!If you've just found me, welcome.As always, my heart is full & eternally grateful for you stopping by,Love you forever, T.B. Cooper

Anybody that knows me knows that I have been cooking Thanksgiving since I was 15, and I haven't missed one, since. Every year the family gathers at our house, and I spend the day joyously cooking for more than 20 people. Now that's not saying much, since eight of those people already live with me, it really just sounds like I'm only doubling what I normally make-- But not really.

This is a FEAST. This is a feast that is meant to last for days, even if everybody doesn't stay for that long. I make sure there is enough food for dinner itself, second and third helpings, breakfast lunch and dinner for the next day for everyone in the house (which still includes almost all the guests), take-home boxes, and at least one pie per car to take with.
​
We don't do Thanksgiving at my house on Thanksgiving, anymore. With kids and family members expanding our family to include significant others/in-laws and grandparents, I found it to be too selfish of me to insist that they come to my house instead of anywhere else, on Thanksgiving. So we instead do it on Saturday after. This not only gives me a couple of days extra to prepare food/desserts, but it also allows me some down time-- after we of course, “prep” the one or two turkeys we have been raising for the table.

When I first started cooking Thanksgiving dinner (at 15), I used to get up at three or 4 o'clock in the morning, and dinner would not be ready until at least 4 o'clock in the afternoon. I grew up in a household where both parents were immigrants, and so Thanksgiving was not a tradition we celebrated. When I moved out (at 15), I took it upon myself to cook the meal for my family, for my first Thanksgiving. Back then, my very first meal was a cheat-- we bought one of those Albertson's boxed Thanksgiving dinners, that I had to do was heat most of it up. But I did add extra dishes, some that I still continue to this day to make-- such as the brown sugared golden sweet potatoes, that I list as part of the meal, but is really good enough to be considered a desert.

Over the last 22 years, I have not only perfected my methods and recipes, but I have shaved that 12 hour time in one day, to just barely 4 (maybe five) hours on the day itself. Which means if I actually did Thanksgiving dinner on Thanksgiving Day like the rest of the country, you would find me sleeping in until roughly 8 o'clock, and dinner would be done no later than 1 PM.

Of course, Meal Prepping, has a lot to do with it, as I'm sure you've already figured that out...

​The chopping & dicing, etc. that we do every month, helps out in immeasurable ways as far as ingredients that I don't need to buy/spend money on, or spend time prepping.

When it's time for me to make my grocery list, I use the same logic and categories as I do with my regular Meal Prepping, but I also account for what I already have in my freezers, before that list is final.

I've included a couple of Printables in this lesson. One is a copy of what our Thanksgiving menu has grown to look like… It is split into three sections: parts of the MEAL, DESSERTS, and where I COOK everything. And YES, this is really what our menu looks like. Of course, a couple of my kids have often joked and said that when I die and they take over cooking the Thanksgiving meal, it will consist only of ham, stuffing, mashed potatoes, potato salad, and Green Bean Casserole. To make up for the other dishes, they will just buy Chinese take-out. But like I tell them, I don't cook the meal just for them. We have an eclectic family group, an extended family, and friends that are family… so I cook to appease everyone, even for some who have passed on from this life into the next.

Okay, as you can see from the picture of what my menu looks like... I'm probably crazy.
LOL
​Or not.

This year we will still have two turkeys (one homegrown/one store bought) & two different hams(as usual). I've decided to do the pot roast instead of corned beef and cabbage. Traditionally, mom normally makes it, but I'll have her make that for Christmas, this year, instead. The potato salad I usually make is a white potato salad, so when you see the ingredients you'll notice there's no mustard. Not that I don't love yellow potato salad, but I came up with the white one on accident many years ago, and my daughter that loves potatoes-- loves this potato salad. I enjoy candied yams and mashed yams, some years I make both… this year is one of them. You'll also see Green Bean Casserole and green beans on this list, I have no other explanation other than I have people in our clan that like one or the other, some who like both. The cream cheese/garlicky crescent rolls are a must, that my sister insists I make dozens of. They are simply refrigerated crescent rolls with chunks of cream cheese rolled into them, brushed with garlicky butter, and baked until golden… But oh, so good!

​On the dessert side, the first thing you see is s'mores. Now before I tell you why it's there, let me just tell you that it's only been the past eight years or so that I've begun to let others join me in the kitchen/help me in any way, shape, or form.
It all started when my youngest daughter was maybe six, and I was cooking Thanksgiving dinner as usual, and she desperately wanted to help make something. The only thing was, I didn't have anything for a six-year-old to make. But I thought quickly (like I usually do), and realized I had a cookie sheet, 10 to 15 minutes of free oven time, some left over graham crackers that were not ground-up, chocolate chips and extra marshmallows. So I taught her to make s'mores-- in the oven. Now, every year since it has been a tradition that she makes at least one cookie sheet of s'mores, right around the time everybody starts getting restless and hungry. Of course, we joke now than when she finally brings home a potential mate, that that individual might find it humorous that her contribution,
​is s'mores.

Moving on…

You will see a lot of pies on this list. We love pie, some love cheesecake, and no one likes the same thing… Plus like I said earlier, I have to make sure there is enough that each carload, at least, gets to take home one whole pie. You'll probably also notice there are two different kinds of apple pie in two different kinds of pumpkin pie on the list. The difference between the apple pies, is one has cinnamon rolls on it, the other doesn't. And the pumpkin pies, are either bake or no bake. I will be including recipes for most of these, shortly after I have this post up (within a day or two). I am still currently working on getting everything typed up/caught up.

The last thing you see in the Desserts column is Libby's-type Desserts. These are whatever assortment I can find when I go shopping, that I pick up, for all of the other children that will be at my house, wanting to help.

The last section, is all about where I cook everything.

So where do I cook everything?

Well, in my kitchen, of course!

Or, I should say kitchens…

One of the selling points when we bought our house, was that one of the prior owners added an extension, which included a large kitchen, but chose to keep the original smaller kitchen. Which meant I automatically had two stove tops, two spaces for refrigerators, two ovens, and one sink... and somehow to this day, still not enough counterspace or cupboards--
​which is just funny, because it's more than I have ever had.

A few years back we ended up upgrading all the appliances so my two ovens became three. My two four-burner stoves became one 4-burner and one 5-burner. But it still is not enough appliances to cook the full meal.

​When I discovered roaster ovens, almost 10 years back…
​My way of cooking changed forever.

Again, I would just say that I have perfected my method, and hope that you don't insist that I give you all of the details of the journey that has led me to where I am now.

Yes, I have three roasters, and I use all three. Two contain a turkey each, with the stuffing. One contains two half-hams, since one group likes a honey brown sugar ham and another likes a Dijon mustard one. I mentioned I have three ovens. One is a wall oven with two racks. The other two ovens are part of a stove/oven unit, that has a smaller one rack oven on top, and a larger two rack oven on bottom.

I've mentioned before that for Meal Prepping I use an electric skillet. Two years ago for Christmas I asked for an additional one, because I found it was necessary. You will also see that I have listed “stove & oven.” This is for meals such as the sweet potatoes, yams, and stuffing that doesn't go in the bird, that will be cooked on the stove and then later baked.

Lastly, you will see “make & freeze,” and “night before.” These should be self-explanatory, but to illustrate-- the pies and cheesecakes I make and freeze days before the dinner, and stuff like the potato salad,
​I cook the night before and refrigerate it.

Each one of the “methods” in the “Cook Where” section, has a code next to it, such as Roaster #1—code-(R1). In the next picture of the same menu, there are codes written on each line next to each menu item. Which by the way, I do just like my Pre-make List(Lesson #3)
​and stick inside of a sheet protector, that I then hang on my refrigerator with magnets.

Down in the “Cook Where” section,
you'll see 'dots' above or below each method.
These dots represent each item & where each one is cooked, so I can see what appliances are used & when.

For example, Stoves #1 & #2 have 4 dots above= representing use of the stove top in the early part of the day, and then 2 & 1 dots underneath= representing use of the stove tops later, closer to dinner time.

*One more thing, the letters to the far right of some of the lines-- like “corn” (has a 'D'), represent which family member (other than me)is in charge of that dish.

As I start each item to cook, I put a check mark next to it.

Once that item is done, I then cross it out, all with an eraser marker of a different color other than the one I used to write in the codes.

I don't write anything in next to cranberry sauce, because all I do is open the can.
​
Anything I'm not making/using I automatically line through them/it.

Click to get your FREE Thanksgiving Menu PRINTABLE either the already filled version or the Blank version. Or both!

This is where I make my list for groceries, for this epic meal.
Just like I do for Meal Prepping, I go through each item on my menu and write down what each dish requires for ingredients.
​ As you can see from the two pictures below, I first do a run through of every item/ingredient I can think of, regardless if I have it or not,
keeping in mind how much of each one I might need.*
*Making sure I forget something, so my husband has a convenient reason (or three) to get out of the house! (Kidding!!--not really)

*I do however, do one small thing differently with my Thanksgiving Shopping List/Rough Draft.

I grab all of my colored highlighters, divide the groceries into (7) different aisles/sections
(6 colored markers + 1 non-colored/misc. category), and then highlight away.

​P.S. I'm sorry the yellow doesn't show up that well! :(

Then I do the fun part… Fill in the blanks!

​BTW, my picture of the list looks slightly different than the PRINTABLE, just FYI.

And also, I told you--I need to get new toner!

Now, you may notice on the PRINTABLE as well as on my copy, I divided further.
​That's because I noticed I could divide the Miscellaneous section down by adding another section for the 'Bread Aisle.'

Also, I did promise in an earlier Lesson, that I'd show you (briefly) how to budget a Grocery List.
Unfortunately, that is not gonna happen this week.
I do sincerely apologize for any inconvenience, but I did not forget & will post it soon!

If you don't stop back by this week for the recipes-- Have a Happy & Safe Thanksgiving!

I think the title is pretty Self-Explanatory...
These are 7 Tips I have 'found' or use, to develop my story lines... Feel free to lend some input!

#7 The "What if?" Exercise. I Absolutely love this one. You simply ask yourself (and your character) what if – this happened? Or what if (your character) did this? etc.… Just start it – it is an amazing tool! Keep going, keep asking... Like the annoying "Why" question that toddlers are famous for, the "What if" exercise proves useful in building your characters, their stories, and the world they live in. I've seen this mentioned several places, there's an entire book dedicated to it by Anne Bernays & Pamela Painter, and I've also seen it mentioned in K.M. Weiland's book "Outlining Your Novel," and you can find info about it online, as well.

#6 Sentence Synopsis Method by Natasha Lester. I love this one also. It helps to centralize your idea, to pull together the bare-bones of your story… Plus, it doubles as a back cover book blurb! You simply answer six questions, and eventually try to whittle them down to six individual, sentence answers. For more info and the neat cheatsheat, click here.

Our daughter's cat Felicia... Showing her love of Storyboards...

#5 Picture boards for your story, either physical or on Pinterest. I've always been in to making visual boards of things that I want, desire, etc. So it was only natural, that when I started dreaming up my stories, that I would take little clips of pictures, of people I thought my characters should look like/scenes of locations where my story might take place… and paste them on to countless sheets of posterboard. But my goodness that takes up a lot of room! Then when I found Pinterest last year, it was only natural that I thought 'hey, maybe I should do some of my storyboard building on here'… Then, I saw that other writers were already doing that! In fact, the first one that I saw was from this lady that has even been nice enough to do a whole article on it. Her name is Laura, and she is the Ginger behind Ginger & Books. Click here to find out more about using Pinterest to help your story along.
​To see my Character Pinterest Board, click here.

#4 Read something/anything in your genre, and then read some more! You're not doing this to copy them, but for two main, but different reasons…First, you need to know what has already been done. You don't want to end up repeating it. When looking into my story ideas, I came across the "Worth of Souls" and the "Station" series… Both were close to my two separate ideas, but thankfully, not the same. Whew! But, reading them, also gave me the distinct impression of what I was already reading/seeing everywhere else – I need to write in 1st person POV. At least if it's for a YA/heroine story... Second reason, it's a good idea to see how other writers write. That's why you should read a few books, not just one. And not just from one author. Of course, if you like the way a certain writer writes, and would like to style yourself after them, then obviously you want to read their work, to get a feel for their technique, so you can further develop yours. But, what if that writer doesn't write how readers of your particular genre expect or like? Not that you should change for anyone, but if popularity is important to you, then it's kind of a good idea to know these things… Hence, it goes to say that you should also read reviews written about books that you have read, whether you like them or not. This way you can see what other people think… what they liked, what they didn't like, get a feel for the audience that you are attempting to write for.
(**And yes, Reviews for both Series (Souls & Station)will soon follow)

#2 Find (or Create) Worksheets/Printables. I absolutely LOVE fill in the blanks. There is a satisfying nature to filling in a worksheet, that appeals to the logical side of my brain. Most days I have hundreds of conflicting thoughts, stories, ideas... running through my brain – EVERY SECOND, of EVERY DAY. It gets loud and confusing, AND overwhelming. Worksheet/dittos more than help me out. I loved math in school. I loved the very act of doing math. The base principle, that if you know and understand the formula and process of solving it, then the numbers are irrelevant. You could, in theory, plug in whatever numbers, and work on solving the equation. Granted, some may not compute or will create a nonexistent answer – but isn't that the same as plugging in your answers to a story worksheet and ending up with a Mad Lib, instead of an epic saga/instant classic? I Have worksheets for everything. When I say everything – I mean – EVERYTHING. Like, you could call me the Worksheet Queen. It's how I organize it all – Budgeting, Meal Planning/Prepping, Homesteading (all aspects), Christmas Planning, Blogging, Story Ideas, Story Outline/Characters etc., School Lessons, Recipes, Animal Records, Diet and Weight Loss Tracking… And all of these have their own organized binders, as well, with at least 20 to 30 different (work)sheets for each "subject." I've spent countless hours looking online for dittos that would meet my purposes, and I found a few that have come close… But usually, as with everything else, I end up taking an idea, elaborating on it, changing it, improving it, until at last it has become mine and no longer represents the page/thing that first inspired it. Usually, I'll find several ideas that I like, and find a way to incorporate the bits and pieces to make something new, that fits all of my needs. In my "former life," I held different office positions, where the use of spreadsheets (like Excel), were my specialty. This has most definitely carried over into my current, Precariously Balanced life... So much so, that I am constantly being asked for ideas on organizing, budgeting, tracking etc... In fact, I think I might eventually gather these (my collection of Worksheets)into their own blog page, sometime in the near future. First however, I need to get better at making actual Printables, like Pretty Ones that people would want… As a quick side note, this week, I'll be talking about the way I Meal-Prep, and I'll be giving away two more Printables to go with that topic, this month! If you missed my first one, see my World Building – Law/Rules Printable here)

#1 Ask What are the Mysteries that are presented/Questions that need to be answered? This is my own addition, that I haven't seen anywhere, so far. When outlining my Book #1 of my Hollow Mists Series, I started making a list of any question that a reader might have, no matter how small/trivial, from the very beginning of my story. As an example, why would this character hate this person? Or why does this person live here as opposed to there? Then I decided I should also keep track of when those questions will be answered. Especially since my Book #1 is part of a series (hopefully seven), I needed to know when, and if, these questions would ever be answered. Which that reminds me of a pin I saw on Pinterest that was labeled 20 things about your character, that your reader will never know, that I found useful. Of course, that is about Characterization, which I will cover in another post, later on.

Speaking of other posts... While writing this, I discovered that I have (probably) enough that I have learned/gathered from fabulously awesome Bloggers/Writers etc. regarding the structure and awesomeness that is, Harry Potter.... So, look forward to that soon, as well!!

Hopefully I've given you some useful Brain Fodder, especially with Nanowrimo right around the corner... BTW, are you going to participate? I think I've decided I will... I want to try again, and I'm going to use 'The Breeding Program' as my story to work on, since I've only gotten two chapters done, and I need the push to get it moving... 1st draft only, of course! Wish me luck!

Lastly, the above text contains links to other websites and links to the products mentioned (on Amazon),
​none of which are affiliate links.

I'm going to make this as short and sweet as I possibly can – buy these hoses – ONLY!

Why?

Only two reasons are necessary:

#1Lifetime Replacement Guarantee. If ever the hose fails on you (breaks, cracks, etc.), simply chop off the ends of the hose, mail the two pieces to the manufacturer, and they'll replace your hose – for FREE. Every time. Forever. No questions asked. No product registration… No B. S. (Just make sure you have some sort of proof of purchase, which if you buy from Amazon, you will always have that proof via your orders/invoices)

#2They are the only ones I use. They are kept out – year 'round. When I say they, I mean we have hoses stretched from one side of 7 acres across and around and snaked over to the other side, of 7 acres. The hoses are not put away. They are kept out in the scorching 115° to 120° heat of the Nevada Desert Sun, and still they survive the 14° winters – with no problems. No cracking, no bubbles, no leaks.

The hoses run on the pricier side, but considering it is the last hose you will EVER BUY – – again, I'll say it-- it is the last hose you willEVER BUY...
so the price is well worth it.

​You can see this review, as well as my many others by checking out my Profile on Amazon.

For more information, visit the product page by either clicking on the (Non-Affiliated) Link, above...
or by clicking MY Affiliate Link** below.(**Clicking below might financially benefit me if your click becomes a purchase. Just FYI.)

Using vibrant, bold, and primarily primary colors-- and a unique style that reminds me of spackling/muddying a wall, he creates masterpieces...

Up close, the pictures are just bright collections of thick brush strokes and dabs – appearing almost chaotic…

​But when seen from further away, your eyes finally focus, and you are then able to take in the full picture...

Suddenly transported to whatever destination ​Mr. Afremov intended, you find yourself surrounded in swirling drifts of color, lost in a moment so full of life, and yet standing frozen & captured in time.

It's as if your technicolor world was instantly left behind, with your broken house resting on top of a dead witch –and you finally arriving in the Land of Oz.

This one is currently for sale on his website. Click the picture to see it on his site!

For more details of his work, or to find out how to own one of these treasures,

Check out his website

and/or Like his Facebook Page!

Pictures/Photos are from either his Facebook Page, or his Website. Click on any of them to see more!

and again, I have not been asked to promote this artist, I just happen to REALLY LOVE his work!

What about you?How does Mr. Afremov's paintings effect you?Or maybe you have a favorite artist you'd like to see featured? I'd be delighted to hear from you!

I'll give you some suggestions and ideas, tell you about some alternative uses...​

I've decided after being asked to do so, to introduce you to My Way of Meal Prepping, which I'm pretty excited about, since I haven't yet seen anyone else do it this way, and I've been doing this way for a while-- and I wouldn't & couldn't do it any differently, ever again! And Don't worry, some of the Printables are for helping you out with Meal Prepping. Plus, this will be an on-going series to really illustrate the process. So if Meal Prepping 101 from all of your searches has got you overwhelmed, well, I won't promise this to be any less confusing in the beginning, but in the long run... I think you'll like it!

I'm re-releasing/re-posting a Blog Post I did a while back, that I took down right away, because I was too afraid of putting something so personal out there. I instead wrote a post to explain why I took it down. But, since it deals with how I-deal with: Bipolar Depression, Endometriosis, Poly-cystic Ovarian Syndrome, and other issues, I figured it might help bring a bit of hope to even one person... so why not?

I'm giving you my recipe for Apple Pie, which my kids will more than likely hate me for sharing it!

Probably a few more odds & ends, in there as well...

​
​And FINALLY... Chapter 2 of Tentaglian Empire will be released on October 28th! So if you haven't signed up for your FREE copies, it's not too late!

Hello!

I’m T.B. Cooper, and I’m very excited to share my life with you. In between living on Pinterest, voicing political views of Equality (on Pinterest, Twitter and Tumblr), running an atypical farm in the Southern Nevada Desert, spiritually guiding & advising & fixing lives, and schooling my kids plus a bunch of others' kids (...that I'm not sure how they got here); you’ll find me fighting for desk space with my cats, attempting to keep their hair out of my tea, plugging my nose 'cause my bulldog likes to sleep & fart next to me, trying to actually do some work that makes ME happy…

I'm a woman of many traits and talents, some are better than others. In this Blog you'll find a little bit of everything. And I DO mean EVERYTHING!

Want to know more about me? Visit my About Page or we can talk (I'd love to hear from you), just head over to my Contact Page.

Don't miss out on my NEW SERIES, Tentaglian Empire: House of Tentagel. For details, click here.

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